Shear



July 15, 1941.

N. R. CARROLL SHEAR Fiied Dec. 10, 1940 INVENTCSR MM 1?. ammu- BY E ATTORN E;

Patented July 15, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE 14 Claims.

This invention relates to shears and particularly to devices of this type and kind designed for use in cutting strands of various kinds and classes, for example, in cutting the yarns used in knitting or crocheting, and cutting string, wire and similar strands, as well as in cutting flowers; and the object of the invention is to provide a shear of the class described comprising two substantially similar parts of sheet material having short blunt cutter end portions and comparatively long handle portions adapted to be disposed one directly upon the other when the device is in closed position to facilitate the compact packing and carrying of the devices and further adapting it for-placement in a pocket of a garment or in a handbag or other container without danger of destruction to the pocket or container in which the same is arranged; a further object being to provide a device of the character described which can be economically constructed by reason of the similarity in the two parts of the device and further wherein the device may be constructed from metal, plastics and other materials, depending largely upon the use to which the invention is applied; and with these and other objects in view, the invention consists in a tool or implement of the class described which is simple in construction, efiicient in use, and which is constructed as hereinafter more fully set forth.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawing forms a part, in which the separate parts of my improvement are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views; and in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of one form of implement made according to my invention showing the parts in closed position in full lines and indicating the same in open position in dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is a side edge view of the device as seen in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an edge View looking in the direction of the arrows 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing a members and oftentimes considerably longer, to adapt the shears for purposes of cutting paper, cloth, and similar materials. These shears have been commonly used, to disadvantage, for many other purposes for which they have not been directly suited. For example, a woman engaged in the operation of knitting, crocheting or otherwise using strands ofmaterial, has made it a practice to use the conventional scissors in cutting these strands from time to time. The need for the scissors is apparent, but the carrying of i a pair of scissors of the conventional type in a workbag, handbag, or the like, is objectionable from the standpoint of the size thereof, and the possibility of destroying the bag by reason of its long more or less pointed ends. 7

From another standpoint, it has been a rather common practice for the home gardener to use a conventional pair of scissors in the cutting of flowers. In this operation, quite often these scissors were placedjin the pocket of a garment, the pointed and rather large scissors quite often causing destruction to the pocket and even subjecting the individual to injury.

It is the purpose of my invention to provide a flat, short and blunt bladed implement of the class described to fit in the palm of the hand in its entirety, and which by reason of its simple and compact construction, can be conveniently placed in any type or kind of container or in the pocket without destruction to the container or pocket or without any possible injury to the user. Further, it is my purpose to provide an implement of this type and kind which will more efliciently perform the desired function of cutting strands or strandlike bodies of various kinds and classes. A tool of this type and kind may be very practically used in the cutting of string or cord and further in shearing wire. In other words, one of the distinctive features of the invention lies in the fact that the structure of the imple- V ment is localized to an area sufficient to engage and sever the material in connection with which it is to be used, and eliminates all of the superfluous blade structure heretofore otherwise employed in devices of the kind under consideration, while also dispensing with the customary edge to edge relationship and spacing of the handle members or finger engaging portions of the instrument.

In the accompanying drawing, I have shown for invention. It will be understood, however, that these illustrations are merely to represent the basic idea of the invention, it being apparent that insofar as the structure of the blades is concerned, and still further insofar as the particular shape and contour of the handle members are concerned, these may be varied in many ways in producing pleasing and ornamental effects, while still retaining the fundamental and basic principles of the structure as illustrated. Furthermore, the separate parts of the device may be made from stampings, forgings or castings, depending entirely upon the use for which the device is intended, and the materials to be employed in the construction thereof; bearing in mind that the device may be made of metal, various plastics, or combinations of these and other materials.

In Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive of the drawing, I have shown two substantially similar tool parts I9, lOa, each of which in the construction shown, comprises an elongated, thin strip of material of substantially the same width throughout the length thereof. One end portion is reduced to form a blade end H and the other end portion has a linger receiving aperture 12. The two parts are pivoted together by a pivot pin 13 located at a point where the reduced blade ends II join the straight portion of each part. The ends [4 having the apertures i2 therein, form the handle members of the shears or implement. These ends are materially greater in length with respect to the pivot 13 than are the length of the blades H. One edge Ha of each blade is beveled to form a cutting edge I in the manner clearly seen in Fig. 3 of the drawing, so that when the implement is moved into open position as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2 of the drawing, the edges 15 are disposed in cross relationship to each other to receive a strand to be cut or severed upon again moving the handle members 14 into closed position.

It will be understood that when the device is in closed position, the blade members H and handle members M of both parts I0, lOa are superimposed one upon the other in common alinement, as is clearly illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing. Thus, the entire implement represents an elongated thin tool having one end terminating in a reduced tapered but blunt end portion. As a result, the sharpened and ground cutting edges l5 are guarded and protected within the other opposed edges of the plate, as is clearly apparent upon a consideration of Fig. 3 of the drawing.

In some adaptations of the invention, it may be desirable to bevel both side edges of the blades H, and in Fig. 5 of the drawing, I have shown at l 5 two blades, both edges of which are beveled as seen at H to form two cutting edges IS. A tool of this type and kind may be opened and closed by movement of the handle members in one of two different directions with respect to each other in utilizing both cutting edges of each blade. On the other hand, the structure as seen in Fig. l is adapted for opening and closing in one direction utilizing the cutting edges N3 of the blades H. However, the handle members can be swung into open and closed positions with the plain or unbeveled edges thereof crossing each other.

In the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 4, I have illustrated the formation of an elongated arc-shaped recess l9 transversely of the handle memb'eridadjacent the pivot i3 with an indentation disposed in the bottom wall of this recess to'receive' a rounded end pin or other member 2i, preferably secured 'to and movable with the part Ilia. This construction will pro vide frictional means for retaining the two parts I U, Illa. in closed position, while at the same time providing forcible movement of the parts into open position and limiting the opening movement of said parts in order to prevent the parts from swinging freely one upon the other. This pivotal mounting of the handle members as applied to the structure of Fig. 5 lends itself to the opening movement of the shears in either direction in utilizing either pair of cutting edges as will be apparent.

In Fig. 6 of the drawing, I have shown another adaptation of the invention in which two substantially similar parts 22, 22a. are employed. These parts are pivoted together as seen at 23 and have curved or hook-shaped blades 24, the inner surfaces of which are curved, beveled and sharpened to form cutter edges 25.

The cuttin edges 25 are arranged in the same manner as is shown in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawing, andwhen theblades are moved into open position as shown in Fig. 6, a substantially circuiar opening is formed between the blade edges 25 for the reception of' a strand or rod-like member of any type or kind. This type of construction is particularly adaptable for use in cutting heavy strands, wires, rods and the like, and would also be desirable for use as a pruning shear or as a shear for cutting flowers. In connection with the last mentioned use, it will be understood that an implement or shear of the class described will facilitate the cutting of flowers in a manner which will not cause injury to other or associated flowers in that the blades of the shear, are localized around the stem of theparticular flower which is to be cut.

At 2 6 is shown a means similar to the means I9, 29 and 2| for limiting opening movement of the implement and for frictionally retaining the same in closed position. The handle portions of the device shown in-Fig. 6 include finger receiving apertures l2a similar to the apertures l2 disclosed in Fig. 1.

It will of course be apparent that my invention is by no means limited to the specific shape or structure of the blade ends of the shear or implement employed, as these may be constructed to suit specific uses for which the invention is. applied. However, a device such as shown in Fig. I would be applicable for most conventional uses, whereas other devices with specially constructed blades would be adaptable for more specific or specialized uses.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A shear of the class described comprising two substantially similar parts, means adjacent one end portion of said parts for pivoting the same together to divide each part into a short blade end portion and a longer handle end portion, the handle end portions being disposed; one upon the other throughout the length, thereof when the shear is in closed position, and; the free end portions ofthe handle members being. fashioned to form finger receiving parts facilitating operation of the shear.

2. A shear of the class described comprising two substantially similar parts, means adjacent one end portion of said parts for pivoting the same together to divide each part into a short blade end portion and a longer handle end; portion, the handle end-portions being disposed;

oneupon the other throughout the length thereaaaasis of when the shear is in closed position, the free end portions of the handle members being fashioned to form finger receiving parts facilitating operation of the shear, the blade ends of the shear being in registering alinement anddisposed one upon the other when the shear is in closed position, and at least one side edge of each blade being sharpened to form a cutting edge.

3. A shear of the class described comprising two substantially similar parts, means adjacent one end portion of said parts for pivoting the same together to divide each part into a short blade end portion and a longer handle end portion, the handle end portions being disposed one upon the other throughout the length thereof when the shear is in closed position, the free end portions of the handle members being fashioned to form finger receiving parts facilitating operation of the shear, the blade ends of the shear being in registering alinement and disposed one upon the other when the shear is in closed position, at least one side edge of each blade being sharpened to form a cutting edge, and means retaining the separate parts of the shear in closed position against accidental displacement.

4. A shear of the class described comprising two substantially similar parts, means adjacent one end portion of said parts for pivoting the same together to divide each part into a short blade end portion and a longer handle end portion, the handle end portions being disposed one upon the other throughout the length thereof when the shear is in closed position, the free end portions of the handle members being fashioned to form finger receiving parts facilitating operation of the shear, the blade ends of the shear being in registering alinement and disposed one upon the other when the shear is in closed position, at least one side edge of each blade being sharpened to form a cutting edge, means retaining the separate parts of the shear in closed position against accidental displacement, and means including the last named means for limiting opening movement of said parts.

5. A shear of the class described comprising two substantially similar parts, means adjacent one end portion of said parts for pivoting the same together to divide each part into a short blade end portion and a longer handle end portion, the handle end portions being disposed one upon the other throughout the length thereof when the shear is in closed position, the free end portions of the handle members being fashioned to form finger receiving parts facilitating operation of the shear, the blade ends of the shear being in registering alinement and disposed one upon the other when the shear is in closed position, at least one side edge of each blade being sharpened to form a cutting edge, and the cutting edges of said blades being concavely curved.

6. An instrument of the class described comprising two relatively thin elongated parts disposed one upon the other in superimposed relationship when the parts are in closed position, means adjacent one end portion of said parts for pivotally coupling the same and to divide the parts into long handle end portions and short blade end portions, the blade end portions being reduced in width as compared with the handle end portions, said blade end portions being provided on at least one side edge thereof with cutter edges, and said handle end portions having finger receiving parts facilitating operation of said instrument.

7. An instrument of the class described comprising two relatively thin elongated parts disposed one upon the other in superimposed relationship when the parts are in closed position, means adjacent one end portion of said parts for pivotally coupling the same and to divide the parts into long handle end portions and short blade end portions, the bladeend portions being reduced in width as compared with the handle end portions, saidblade end portions being provided on at least one side edge thereof with cutter edges, said handle end portions having finger receiving parts facilitating operation of said instrument, and means adjacent the pivot of said parts for limiting opening movement thereof.

8. An instrument of the class described comprising two relatively thin elongated parts disposed one upon the other in superimposed relationship when the parts are in closed position, means adjacent one end portion of said parts for pivotally coupling the same and to divide the parts into long handle end portions and short blade end portions, the blade end portions being reduced in width as compared with the handle end portions, said blade end portions being provided on at least one side edge thereof with cutter edges, said handle end portions having finger receiving parts facilitating operation of said instrument, means adjacent the pivot of said parts for limiting opening movement thereof, and for I retaining the parts in closed position.

9. A tool of the class described comprising two substantially similar parts, each part comprising an elongated thin strip of material having common side edges throughout the length thereof, one short end portion of said part being reduced in transverse dimensions to form a blade end, said part inwardly of the blade end having centrally of side edges thereof a pivot aperture, one side edge of the blade end being beveled to form a cutter edge, and the other end portion of said part being shaped to form a finger receiving portion.

10. A tool of the class described comprising two substantially similar parts, each part comprising an elongated thin strip of material having common side edges throughout the length thereof, one short end portion of said part being reduced in transverse dimensions to form a blade end, said part inwardly of the blade end having centrally of side edges thereof a pivot aperture, one side edge of the blade end being beveled to form a cutter edge, the other end portion of said part being shaped to form a finger receiving portion, and said cutter edge being curve 11. A shear of the class described comprising two parts, each consisting of a blade end portion and a handle end portion, means intermediate said end portions for pivotally coupling said parts, and said parts, when the shear is in closed position, having the blade and handle portions thereof disposed in superimposed relationship to each other, maintaining both parts within the limits of the widest portion of either of said parts.

12. A shear of the class described comprising two parts, each consisting of a blade end portion and a handle end portion, means intermediate said end portions for pivotally coupling said parts, said parts, when the shear is in closed position, having the blade and handle portions thereof disposed in superimposed relationship to each other, maintaining both parts within the limits of the widest portion of either of said parts, means frictionally retaining the parts in the blade portions in two directional cutting op-' erations whereby in one directional cutting op eration one pair of cutting edges are movable toward and fromeach other and in the other directional cutting operation the other pair of closed positiom'and said last named means in cutting edges are movable toward and from each other.

14 A shear of the character described comprising two parts pivotally coupled to provide handle portions and blades, the blade of each part being beveled on opposed side edges to form two pairs of cutting edges between said blades, means providing swinging movement of the blades to cross each other in two directions to provide between the two pairs of cutting edges of said blades two independently functioning cutters, one operating in one directional crossing of the blades, and the other in the opposite 1 directional crossing of said blades.

NEVA R. CARROLL. 

